Method and apparatus for feeding molten glass



Jan. 20, 1931. L. D. soUBlER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING MOLTE GLASS Filed Aug.' 22, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 20, 1931. 1 D. souBu-:R

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING MOLTEN GLASS Filed Aug. 2.2, 1927 2' Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 20, 1931 UNITED STATES P'Aralarl OFFICE LEONARD D. souriait, or ToLEDo, oHio, AssIGNoR vTo ow'ENs-ILLNoIs GLAss oo n- PANY, or ToLEDo, omo, A conPoRATioN or omo METHOD AND APPARATUS non .FEEDING nfoLTDN GLAss Application led August 22, 1927. Serial No. 214,522.

The present-invention relates to improvements in method and apparatus for feeding molten glass and' more particularly to lthat type of feeder embodying a lateral furnace" extension or boot formed with a bottom outl let orifice,l from the walls of w-hich formed chargesof molten glassjare periodically suspended f orA severance and delivery to` the .molds of a ware forming machine.

- .provide glass feeding apparatus of the above An object of the present invenotio'n is to character with automatic means operating upon the glass from above andbelow 'the outlet orifice to regulate the discharge of glass through "said orilice. According to the pres,- ent invention, this automatic control means includes a mechanicalflow regulator projecting into the glass over the outlet orifice and -cooperating with mechanism arranged below said orifice adapted to alternately-apply air pressure and vacuum to the lower side of the molten glass within said orifice. This alternate application of air vpressure and vacuum-A is properly timed with operation of the mechanical flow regulator so that alternate acceleration and retardation of the glass flow is exceptionally effective and contributes materially to the formation of charges of uniform weight and shape. Another advantage resulting from the above combinationl is the reheating of the stub of the glass which is chilled by the shears and ordinarily left projectingfom they-discharge orifice following severance of mold charges. The application of air pressure to the glassfrom below the orice, forces this chilled projecting stub back into'the orifice where it is 'completely reheated and reassimilated by the main supply body of glass. Thus, 'the issuing` glass is at alltimes vmaintained in the best possible condition for working.

'A further object is to provide a cup adapt--l ed tb periodically-enclose the lower sideof lthe .bottom outlet orifice in a container for -molten glass, said'cup' forminga part ofi/)the v meansfor applyingair pressure and vacuum in' alternation asnabove vointed 'out.- This F1g.2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing 'the device functioning as a funnel guide.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation with parts in section, showing the'application of the presentinvention to a feeder boot. .Figa is a fragmentary sectional view showing the use of ana'dapter whereby caps 'having different sizedloutlet openings may be used. v v

Referring tothe accompanying drawings, the lateral furnace extension-or feeder boot 10 is formed with -a'bottom outlet orifice 11 provided with an outlet bushing 12, from the'walls of which formed charges of molten glass are periodicallysuspended and severed by suitable shears 13 for deliver y to shaping` molds 14 of a. forming machine not shown). While other suitable regulators may be employed to control the flow of glass through the bott-om'outlet orifice, for the purpose of the present application a reciprocatlon /filunger 15 is utilized.

The means to apply air pressure and vacuum to the glass from below the outletoriice includes a cup 16`(Fig. 1) preferably of cylndrical formation and provided with downwardly and inwardly tapered bottom walls '17 in which an axial outlet opening 18-is formed. This cup-is fixed to the outer end of an arm 19 mounted upon the lower end of the piston rod 20 of an air motor 21 which is l preferably supported. by the feeder boot and is adapted to be operated in proper timed relation to movements of the shears 13 and the forming machine (not shown), and the flow regulator 15.' Any suitable timing mechanism may be. employed for this purpose. A radial top flange 22 extending varound the-upper end of the body of the cup 16 is formed with guide openings 23 through which bolts 24 project for connection to a flange 25 of a sleeve 26 with telescopes within the tubular body portion of the cup 16. Coil springs 27 encircling the bolts operate to normally hold the sleeve 26 and thecup 16 in their outer mostor ext-ended positions as shown in Fig. 2. The inner wall 28 at the upper end of the sleeve 26 (Fig. 1). is tapered and adapted to snugly contactwith a tapered seat 29 formed on the bushing retaining ring 30 as shown in Fig. 1. Thus, a substantially airtight joint is formed, permitting effective formation of either sub-atmospheric or super-atmospheric ressure internally of the chamber 55 formed y the cup and sleeve. This flange 25 (Fig. 1) also' is formed with a radial opening 31 through which airfpressure or vacuum may be applied internally of said chamber by way of a flexible pipe 32 leading from any suitable source of vacuum or air pressure supply (not shown) The openirr 18 in the bottom of the cup 16 is closable y means of a plug 33 pivoted to a supporting 'arm 34 which in turn is hinged by a pin 35 to the cup supporting arm 19. This closure plug 33 is held in cup closing position at proper intervals by a cam 36 which operates through a cam roll 37 and a finger 38 carrying the cam roll to rock the arm 34 about the hinge 35 as shown in Fig. 1.

` This cam 36 is carried-by a base plate 39 have ing bolt and slot connection with a bracket 40 which, in turn, is rigidly fixed .to the feeder boot 10. Coiled springs 41 arranged one above the other (Fig. 1) between a lateral flange 42 on the bracket 40 and suitable uides 43 on the cam 36, function as a safety evice to prevent breakingof any of the elements in the event the closure plug operating mechanism becomes jammed.

When the cup 16 and sleeve 26 move downwardlv relative to the associated elements, a.

coil spring 44 (Figs. 1 vand 2) operates to swing the` plug carrying arm 34 downwardly to the Fig. 2 position permitting the device to v function as a funnel guide.

In operation, assuming the parts to be initiallyy positioned as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the regulating plunger 15 is moved downwardly to accelerate expulsion of glass through the bottom outlet orifice 11. Simultaneously with this expulsive action on the part of the regulator 15, the cup 16 is moved downwardly relative to the sleeve or tube 26 to thereby create sub-atmospheric pressure internally of the chamber and accelerate discharge of glass through the orifice 1.1. Also,

a partial vacuum is created within the chamber by exhaustion of air through the pipe 32. Thus, the molten glass is expelled from the feeder boot and suspended from the walls o f the out-let bushing. 12 as a formed charge read for severance and delivery to a shaping mol 14.

As the shaping Amold 14 approaches the station in vertical aligncharge receivin ment with the I ttom outlet Aorifice 11, the

air motor 21 operates'to lower the capping to the receiving end of the mold 14, it being understood that at a redetermined time interval following initia downward movement of the cup, the shears 13 operate to sever the suspended charge from theman body of glass.. Immediately following delivery of the charge of glass to the'forming mold 14 and substantially simultaneously with upward movement of the flow regulator 15, the air motor 21 operates to return the capping device to the full line position shown in Fig. 1 in which-the bottom closing plug 33 also has resumed a position in which it closes to the bottom of the cup 16.' The air motor 21 continues to lift the cup 16, causing movement of the latter relative to the sleeve 26 which has, at this period of operation, come into contact with the bushing ring 30 (Fig. 1).A This continued movement of the cup 16 relative to the sleeve 26, creates super-atmospheric `pressure within the chamber 55, thereby operating' to force the `projecting surface chilled stub of glass back into the feeder boot so that it may be completely reheated and reassimilated by the main bodyof glass. Thus, it is seen that this device maintains the glass in the best possible' condition for the formation into mold charges, materially assists in rapid formation of charges of uniform size and weight, and insures proper delivery' of the formed char es to the shaping molds of the forming mac ine. A

In F1g. 4, there is shown means whereby different sized sleeves 26 may be used with a single cup.- In this form. the main body 50 of the cup 16 is internally threaded for engagement with an adapter 51 (Fig. 4) formed with a radial flange 52 having guide openings 53 formed therein to receive bolts 54 which interconnect said adapter 51 and the sleeve 26. By providing a structure such as shown in Fig. 4, the sleeves 26 are readily interchangeable as required bv the particular operating conditions and size or shape of charges being formed.

Manifestly, certain minor changes may be resorted to within the spirit and scope f the appended claims.

vWhat I claim is:

1.` In combination, a containerfor a supply body of molten glass having a bottom sitioning below and in line with said orifice,

`mold charges from the container to saidclose the lower end of the discharge orifice means to/eause periodic delivery of formed mold, and means mounted for reciprocation axially of the path of travel of themold Chargesacting as a charge guide while at one end of its pathof movement and to' enwhile at the other end of said path of movement. I

2. In combination, a. container for molten glass having abottom outlet orifice,:a mold adapted for periodic positioning below and4 in line with saidA orifice, means tocause peri? odic delivery of formedmold charges from the container to said mold, a cup. mounted for reciprocation axially of the path' of said cup functions as a funnel guide for. charges being delivered to the mold.

movement of the mold charges, said cup having a closable bottom outlet, means to position the cup tov enclose thelower endv of Sa"d outlet orifice, and means to open the outlet in the cup bottom when said cup is positioned at the lower end of its path of travel whereby 3. In' combination, a container for molten glass having a bottom outlet orifice, a mold ."'ment of the mold charges, said cup having-a closable bottom outlet, vmeans to position the cupto enclose the outlet orifice of the glass container, means to alternately increase and decrease pressure within the cup while the latter encloses the lower end of saidoutlerI orifice, andmeans to open the outlet in the cup bottom following initial downward movement'of the latter, whereby said cup functions as a funnel guide for charges being delivered to the mold.

4; In combinatiomla container-for molten glass having a bottom outlet orifice, a mold adapted for periodic positioning below'- and in line with said orifice attimes, means to cause periodic delivery of `formedv mold, charges from the container tol said mold, a cup mounted for reciprocation axially'of the path of movementv of the mold charges, said' c up having a closable bottom outlet, means to position the cup toA enclose the lower end of said outlet orifice, means to vary pressure internally of the' cup to cause alternate in-i, ward and outward movement. of glass in said bottom `outlet orifice, means -to'open the bottom outlet in the cup following initial ldownward 'movement of the latter, whereby said cup operates to guide mold 'charges'to the mold, and a glass flow regulator projecting into the 'glass in said container.

' 5. In combination, a container .-for molten glass having a bottom outlet orifice, mechanicalflow regulating means projecting into'the glass'above said outlet orifice, a cup adapted to periodically enclose-the lower. side of said orifice, means to alternately apply air pressureand vacuum internally of the cup in timed relation with movements of the niechanical fiow regulating device to 4cause periodic suspension of formed charges of g'lass 'from the walls of said orifice, means to sever the 'suspended charges from the main body of glass, a shaping mold having a charge receiving opening at its upper end adapted for positioning in vertical alignment withthe.

'discharge orifice periodically, means to lower said cup to a position adjacent the charge-receivingA end of said mold- 'in yadvance of the charge severing operation, and means toopen the bottom of said lcup whereby the latter functionsas a funnel guide for the severed charges.

' 6.v In combination, a container for molten glasshaving a bottom outlet orifice, mechani cal flowregulating means-projecting into the glass above said outlet orifice, a cup adapted4 to periodicallylenclose the lower side of said i said .c'up to a positionadjacent the charge receiving end of said mold in advance of they charge severing'operation,means to open the bottom of said c up whereby l the latter functions yas a funnel guide' for the severed charges, and automatic means operating to reciprocate said cup in timed relation to movement of the mechanical flow regulating means and actuation of the charge severing (means,

7. In combination, a container for molten glass having a bottom outlet orifice, a cup arranged to periodically enclose the lower side of said orifice, said cup comprising a pair of telescopedsections, means to normally hold said sections in. their extended positions, means to cause a'relative movement z wa-rd movement ofglass'in said orifice, and

imeans operating at predetermined time intert0`accelerate outward flow of glass through said orifice. Y

. 8. In combinatiomacontainer for molten glass having a bottom outlet orifice, a cup arranged to vperiodically enclose 'the lower 'side of said orifice, saidcup comprising-a pair of telescoped s'ect1ons ,'means to normally ,vals to apply vacuum internally of the cupv hold said sections in their extended position, means to cause a relative movement of saidsections when the cup--encloses said outlet orifice to create super-atmospheric pressure internally of the cup causing upward movement of glassv in said orifice, means operating.

9. In combination, a container for a supply i bo dv of molten glass having a bottom outlet orifice, a sectional telescopic cup arrang v,ed-

, for movement below and i n axialalignment with the outlet orifice, means toperiodically position the cu to enclose the lower side of said outlet ori ce, means to manipulate the cup sections to create super-atmospheric pressure therein causing upward movement of' glass inthe orifice, means toy create' sub-atmospheric pressure within the cup in alternation with the creation of super-atmospheric pressure therein to thereby accelerate fiow of Glass through the orifice, means to open thelbottom of said cup at predetermined time intervals, and means to sever mold charges from the issuin glass.'

10. A glass eeder cmprising a container for a supply of molten glass havin a bottom outlet orifice, means to periodical-y accelerate and retard flow-of glass through -said outlet orifice to suspend formed mold charges from the walls thereof, said means including a cup adaptedto periodicall ven-4 close the lower side of said orifice, sai cup having a bottom outlet, a closure plu "for said outlet, means to vreciprocate sait? cup axially of the path of movement of'- charges away from the bottom outlet orifice, auto'- matic means to positionL said closure plug to close the cup 'outlet while the cup is arranged to enclose the bottom outlet orifice andto position said plug at one sidel ofthe outlet at a point following initial vdownward movement of said cu whereby the cup functions as a funnel. ide. and means to sever charges suspend from the -walls of' the outlet orifice;

11. A glass feeder comprising acontainer for a supply of molten glam having a bottom outlet orifice, means to periodically accelerate and retard flow of glass through said outlet orifice to suspend formed mold charges from the walls thereof, said means including a cup adapted to periodically enclose the' lower side of said orifice,`said cup having a bottom outlet, a closure plug for said outlet,

the latter may function as' `axially of vsupply bod means to reciprocate said cup axially of the path of movement of charges away from the bottom outlet orifice, cam mechanism operating to move the' lu'g to close the cup outlet while the cup is in its uppermost position and to open said outlet following initial -downward movement of the cup, whereby the cupV functions as a funnel guide, and means to sever charges suspende walls of the outlet orifice.

12. A glass feeder Vcomprising a container for a supply of molten glass having a bottom outlet orifice, means to periodically accelerate and retard flow of glass through said out'- let orifice to suspend formed mold charges from the walls thereof, said means including a cupadapted to periodically enclose the lower sideofsaid orifice, means toalternately create sub-atmospheric pressure and super-atmospheric cup while the latter is in position to enclose the vlower side of said outlet orifice, said cup having'a bottom outlet, a closure pluv for said outlet, means to reciprocate sait? cup the path of movement of mold charges away from the bottom outlet orifice, and cam mechanism operating to move the plug to close the cup outlet while the cup is in its uppermost 'position and to open said outlet following initial downward movement of the cup. l

13. The combination* of a container for a of molten glass having abottom outlet ori ce thru whichthe glass issues, means for periodically severing the issued glass, a funnel guide mounted at the bottom the discharge end of the nnel guide to 'provide a closure device, and means for periodically moving said guide downward from the outlet in timed relation to the glass severing operations.

14. The combination lof a container for a supply body of molten glass having a bottom 'outlet orifice, a closure devicebeneath said pressure internally of the,

from the Aofthe outlet, means for periodically closing lll orifice to receive the issuing glass, said closure device comprising vertically telescoping sections, and means to periodically sever the Y issued lass.

15'. e combination of a container for a Spply bo'dy 0f molten gla's having'a bottom" outlet orifice, a closure device beneath said 'orifice to receive the issuing glass, said closure device comprising vertically telescoping sections, the lower section comprising tared walls and having a bottom outlet opening, and means toV periodically sever the issued glass. ,s

16 The combination of a container for Vmolten glass -li'aving a bottom outlet orifice thru which the glass issues, a closure device at the bottom of the orifice to receive thaissuing glass,-means for periodically lowering the closing device, means for periodically severing the issued glass at a plane above thel lowered `closure device, and means for transformm said closure device into a funnel guide t ru which the glass is discharged.

. 1-7. The combination of a container for molten lass having a bottom outlet orilicc thru Whlch the glass issues, a closure device beneath the orice to receive the issuing glass, means for periodically severing the issued glass, and means for periodically moving said closure device vertically downward and transformmg 1t `1nto an open gu1de thru i which the severed glass is delivered.

18. .The combination of a container for molten glass having a bottom outlet thru which the glass is discharged, means pro viding a closed chamber beneath thel outlet into which the vglass is received as it issues for said outlet, automatic means for eriodically expanding and contracting sai chamber and thereby periodically varying the air pressure within the chamber, and means to periodically sever the issued glass. Si ned at Toledo, in the county of Luca and tate of Ohio, this 11th dayof August,

LEONARD D. SOUBIER. 

